The Vineyard Life Blog

Safety Standards and Checklist: Operators of Lodgings

This is a preview of the mandatory safety standards, recommended best practices and a checklist for operators of lodgings. Hotel, motels, and other Lodging businesses may not expand their operations until specifically authorized to do so in Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s Workplace Re-Opening Plan and by the withdrawal of the DPH Lodging Guidance.

These workplace safety standards for lodging are posted in advance to the Governor’s initiation of Phase 2 to allow operators of lodging time to prepare for reopening in compliance with these mandatory standards. Hotels, motels, and other lodging businesses have operated during the COVID-19 public health emergency under substantial restrictions pursuant to the Governor’s Essential Services Order (COVID-19 Order No. 13) and Department of Public Health (DPH) Guidance issued March 25, 2020. Hotel, motels, and other Lodging businesses may not expand their operations until specifically authorized to do so in Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s Workplace Re-Opening Plan and by the withdrawal of the DPH Lodging Guidance. The Governor will initiate Phase 2 of the Re-Opening Plan by formal Executive Order and only following a careful review of public health data.

The Vineyard Life Blog

Edgartown Harbor / Beach Chic Cottage

Private beach chic cottage in Edgartown Harbor with use of beach and dock. One bedroom, one bath restored, waterfront cottage on Edgartown harbor with bead board walls, luxury king size bed and linens, wall-mounted flat screen TV, AC.Lovely garden cottage with a front porch facing the harbor and private beach.Directly across from Chappaquiddick and a few hundred yards from the “On Time ferry”, this walk to village cottage is a rare find. The main bedroom has a non-working fireplace, small dining table, electric stove and refrigerator. The center room has two twin beds and a large closet plus bathroom with claw tub. Private outdoor shower.One couple for August rental. $20,000. kelleycwell@gmail.com

The Vineyard Life Blog

Economists Forecast Recovery to Begin in the Second Half of 2020!

With the U.S. economy on everyone’s minds right now, questions about the country’s financial outlook continue to come up daily. The one that seems to keep rising to the top is: when will the economy begin to recover? While no one knows exactly how a rebound will play out, expert economists around the country are becoming more aligned on when the recovery will begin.

According to the latest Wall Street Journal Economic Forecasting Survey, which polls more than 60 economists on a monthly basis, 85.3% believe a recovery will begin in the second half of 2020(see graph below):There seems to be a growing consensus among these experts that the second half of this year will be the start of a turnaround in this country.

“We fully expect the economy could begin to pick up in late June and July with a strong recovery in the fourth quarter.”

In addition, five of the major financial institutions are also forecasting positive GDP in the second half of the year. Today, four of the five expect a recovery to begin in the third quarter of 2020, and all five agree a recovery should start by the fourth quarter (see graph below):

Bottom Line

The vast majority of economists, analysts, and financial institutions are in unison, indicating an economic recovery should begin in the second half of 2020. Agreement among these leading experts is stronger than ever.

The Vineyard Life Blog

What’s Open (and Not Open) on Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is beginning to return to work, as Massachusetts Gov. Baker announced the first phase of a flexible four-phase reopening plan. Restaurants are permitted to serve food by take-out only.

Town halls are open by appointment only.

Many businesses have adopted the use of “virtual” classes and experiences, which can be found on our online calendar.

Self-help meetings are taking place virtually, as are religious services. A list of where to stream those are below.

First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, closed. Online religious services available and pick-up suppers on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m.

Howes House, by appointment.

West Tisbury Public Library, closed. Streaming services available.

Up-Island

Aquinnah Public Library

Bodhi Path Buddhist Center.

Chilmark Public Library, closed. Streaming services available.

PathwaysARTS

The Yard

The Vineyard Life Blog

Edgartown Airs Details for Transforming Downtown Streets This Summer

Edgartown’s inchoate European model for downtown avenues and restaurants came into focus on Tuesday, as town administrator James Hagerty aired various proposals that would close off streets, limit parking and allow for outdoor dining in the summer during the pandemic.